Bloody Scotland - Crime in the Spotlight

Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival 8-10 September 2017

Crime in the Spotlight is sponsored by The Open University

BLOODY SCOTLAND ANNOUNCES THE EXCITING NEW WRITERS SELECTED TO APPEAR ON STAGE WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL NAMES IN CRIME FICTION

Being selected for ‘Crime in the Spotlight’ is like being asked to be the support band on a major stadium tour. A bit like what Travis were to Oasis. Two years ago Graeme Macrae Burnet appeared ‘in the spotlight’ immediately before Ian Rankin, one year later he was shortlisted for The Man Booker. It’s a great opportunity to perform in front of a vast audience of potential fans. 

The Directors of Bloody Scotland have selected the authors and paired them with the acts they will be supporting this year – listed below with regional links highlighted.

Saturday 9^th September

Clare MacLeary with Alex Gray

Clare describes herself as ‘a feisty Glasweigan’.  Ollowing a career in Aberdeen and St Andrews she gained an MLitt with distinction from the University of Dundee.

Owen Mullen with Peter May

Owen went to Strathclyde University the moved to London.  He had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name.  He now divides his time between Glasgow and the Greek Islands.

Louise Hutcheson with John Simenon & Graeme Macrae Burnet.

Poacher turned gamekeeper, Louise is a freelance editor from Glasgow who edits crime fiction. She has a PhD in Scottish Literature from the University of Glasgow.

GD Harper with Lin Anderson, Ragnar Jonasson & Thomas Enger.

He grew up in Stenhousemuir near Stirling & went to University in Glasgow, living in the West End where his books are set.

Lloyd Otis with Mason Cross and Chris Carter.

Lloyd has blogged for the bookseller and the Huffington Post and was editor of a monthly lifestyle magazine’s book review column.  He lives in London

Fiona Cummins with Ann Cleeves

 A graduate of Faber Academy, her debut has been published in several languages and optioned for TV. She lives in Essex and is published by Pan Macmillan.

Sunday 10 September

Lucy Hay with Vince Cable and Nicholas Searle

 Lucy lives in Devon and is associate producer of two Brit thrillers starring Danny Dyer.

Pat Young with Louise Welsh, Doug Johnstone and E S Thomson launching Bloody Scotland, the book.

Pat was born and still lives in South West Scotland.  Her recent book launch in Waterstones Ayr was a sell out.

Rob Scragg with James Oswald and Professor Sue Black

Rob was born and bred in North East England. His first novel received four ‘yes’ votes from the Dragon’s Den at Harrogate Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival last year.  He lives in Newcastle-upon Tyne.

Charles McGarry with Chris Brookmyre

Charles was born and still lives in Glasgow. Published by Polygon he will also be appearing in The Curly Coo at 2pm for a live recording of the popular podcast series ‘DEBUT: A Crime Writer’s Journey from the Bedroom to the Bookshelf – free event.

Tana Collins and Lynda La Plante

 Her books are set in Fife and Anstruther but she lives in Edinburgh where she works as a massage therapist. She was brought up just outside Hastings in South East England.

The only big names appearing at the Albert Halls who are missing from this list are Ian Rankin whose event is immediately after the torchlight procession on the Friday night and Val McDermid whose support act is still under wraps as it will be the winner of the inaugural New Crime Writer Award launched by Virago in association with The Pool. Val will introduce the winner live on stage immediately before her event on Saturday.

Crime in the Spotlight is the brainchild of board member and crime writer Gordon Brown, himself well used to support bands having been involved with the early years of T in the Park. Previous spot-lighters are all very supportive of each other on social media and even have spotlight reunions. Which of the Class of 2017 will go on to great things? Fiona Cummins is definitely in with a fighting chance as the Ann Cleeves event has sold a record breaking number of tickets and filled all 700 seats in the Albert Halls. Two of the spotlighters – Claire MacLeary and Owen Mullen – are also on the longlist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year Award.
 

For further information or to interview any of the ‘spotlighters’, Gordon Brown or Festival Director Bob McDevitt please contact fiona@brownleedonald.com
07767 431846